An exam board has defended a GCSE maths question involving calorie counting, after being criticised on social media, with some pupils claiming it was distressing to those with eating disorders.
The question asked pupils to work out the total number of calories consumed for breakfast, using yoghurt and a banana.
Some complained that such a question was concerning given the age of participants and the potential of them having eating disorders.
Having a question in a GCSE maths exam asking students to count the calories in a woman’s breakfast is – coming from someone in recovery from an eating disorder – shameful and wildly ignorant of the most deadly mental illness. https://t.co/z8MdGNTSoK
— Jenny Stevens (@jenny_stevens) June 12, 2019
Some folk felt Q was insensitive to the age group taking the exam.
‘There are 84 calories in 100g of banana. There are 87 calories in 100g of yogurt.
Priti has 60g of banana and 150g of yogurt for breakfast.
Work out the total number of calories in this breakfast.’
— Nazgar001 (@nazgar001) June 11, 2019
Pearson, the examination body, said the question was ‘valid’ but urged students who felt the questioned had ‘impacted’ their performance to get in touch.
— Pearson Edexcel (@PearsonEdexcel) June 11, 2019
